South Africa condemns claims by Rwandan former General

Pretoria – Claims made by a former general that certain Rwandan citizens claim to have engaged in political activities against the Rwandan government “with the approval of the South African Government” are devoid of truth, said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco).

Rwanda’s former army chief of staff, Kayumba Nyamwasa

“It should be noted that South Africa and Rwanda maintain friendly diplomatic relations therefore such statements and claims are devoid of all truth,” said the department in a statement on Wednesday.

The claims were made by Kayumba Nyamwasa a former General in the Rwandan Armed Forces in an article in City Press dated 29 July 2012.

The department labelled his comments as irresponsible and libellous, adding that his comments are viewed in a serious light.

“It is regrettable that these irresponsible and libellous comments as well as suggestions of plotting regime change have been made against a country with which South Africa maintains diplomatic relations, and they are therefore condemned in the strongest terms.”

Nyamwasa is a refugee in South Africa and in terms of the law governing refugees, the South African Refugee Act, number 130 of 1998, he is required to refrain from engaging in any political activity or subversive action against any government as this would constitute a breach of the law and he could be liable to lose his refugee status.